Forward

In Caroline Pignat’s first novel, children experience the classic dilemmas of growing older.

Characters, such as Katie, mourn their former child lives. They mention their former teacher;

Mr. Donlan, and his caring and concerned relationship towards them. This excerpt from the

prequel is intended to explain precisely what they are yearning to re-experience.

William James Reid

I am comfortable here.

This is my second home.

I am familiar with my teachers, my peers, the building.

This is my second home.

Katie

Another year of possible great academic achievement, another year of endlessly assisting Will

in coping with the social atmosphere. There are no bullies currently attending Donald Trump

elementary, and if there happened to have been any in previous years, they have since been

expelled. I can faintly recall the presence of a school bully long ago, Shane, I believe, he was one

year older than us first graders at the, although he harassed us nevertheless, particularly Will,

as he, for his entire lifetime, has been a rather peculiar figure.

Will’s common practices, such as constantly sporting a turtleneck dickie, are considered odd

and inexplicable by the others surrounding him, however, despite this they treat him with

humanely, with respect and dignity. After certain strange events involving Will, such as his

splitting his tongue from his skin after testing the validity of the “lick the metal fence” theory, I

have had a number of my classmates ridicule me for supporting him. At those times though, I

am not self-sensitive, as I am blankly staring across the hall watching as Will is taunted:

“Flesh face, not too trusting, are you?!” The entire room shook with laughter. “Pathetic,” one

child declared. The response, however, differed. “Who has said these terrible words,” a deep

hardy voice boomed. It echoed around the hall in which we were standing. “Silence yourselves,”

it ordered.

From out of his nearby classroom, out stepped Mr. Donlan, our heroic teacher and friend

Jenna

I watched as he confidently strode down the hall, assuring that the students had given him

undivided attention. He paced up and down the hall, and it was plain to see from the

disappointed look on his face that we had displeased him. “Why,” Mr. Donlan’s voice expressed

an even yet greater tone of distaste. “Have you done this?” his voice now stern, he continued

to pace up and down the hall, glaring at those of us who had been intimidating Will.

He soon replaced his stern glare with a half-hearty smile, and then turned to look at Will,

sprawled in a heap on the floor, shocked.

I know about you, about your deceased mother, about your ways, Will, but I respect that. And I recognize that inside, you are a bright, intelligent, young man.” stated Mr. Donlan. The entire school, now

silent, nodded in agreement. “I would like all students to apologize to Will.”

One by one, students began apologizing to Will. Their apologies were sincere, curt, and

generally polite, and as each student was required to apologize to Will, my turn was

approaching. As I stepped towards Will, I murmured, “Feel better” to him, and walked away.